---
title: 'Which? Soldier or Mechanic: Enlist in the First Replacement Regiment of Engineers and Be Both'
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/which-soldier-or-mechanic-first-replacement-regiment-of-engineers-1917-1919/
description: 'Two figures flank the text: a worker in overalls at a machine on the left and a helmeted soldier at a trench on the right, beneath an eagle and stripes.'
section: Collection
---

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3. Which? Soldier or Mechanic: Enlist in the First Replacement Regiment

[![Which? Soldier or Mechanic: Enlist in the First Replacement Regiment of Engineers and Be Both, 1918 US poster: Two figures](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/which-soldier-or-mechanic-first-replacement-regiment-of-engineers-1917-1919.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/which-soldier-or-mechanic-first-replacement-regiment-of-engineers-1917-1919.jpg)

# Which? Soldier or Mechanic: Enlist in the First Replacement Regiment of Engineers and Be Both

Two figures flank the text: a worker in overalls at a machine on the left and a helmeted soldier at a trench on the right, beneath an eagle and stripes. The tell is the offer of a dual identity, 'Soldier or Mechanic ... and be both', which presents enlistment as an extension of the trade the viewer already has.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Identity fusion](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/identity-fusion/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
WHICH?
SOLDIER or MECHANIC
ENLIST IN THE
FIRST REPLACEMENT REGIMENT OF ENGINEERS
AND BE BOTH
FOR INFORMATION ADDRESS POST COMMANDER WASHINGTON BARRACKS D.C.
[monograms at lower corners: L and H]
DESIGNED-ENGRAVED & PRINTED BY PUBLICITY BUREAU, FIRST REPLACEMENT REGIMENT OF ENGINEERS
Central Map Reproduction Plant, Engineer School Washington Barracks, D.C.
1918
```

The final imprint line at lower right is in very small type; it is read as given, with some doubt over individual words. The monograms L and H sit at the lower left and right corners.

[← Wear Your Honor Button: 4th Liberty Loan Bonds](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/wear-your-fourth-liberty-loan-honor-button-1918/) [While Someone Gives His Life, What Are You Giving? Think a Minute →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/while-someone-gives-his-life-red-cross-1918/)

## More propaganda examples that use the same techniques

- [A Little American's Promise](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/a-little-americans-promise-1917/) (United States · 1917 · Identity fusion, Transfer)
- [All Together! Enlist in the Navy](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/all-together-enlist-in-the-navy-1917/) (United States · 1917 · Bandwagon, Identity fusion)
- [Members of U.S. Food Administration: America Has Promised to Feed the Hungry Millions of Europe, Waste Nothing](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/america-food-pledge-20-million-tons-1917-1919/) (United States · 1917 · Identity fusion)
- [Do Your Duty. Join the U.S. Marines. Help Them Defend America on Land and Sea](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/do-your-duty-join-the-us-marines-1917-1919/) (United States · 1917 · Glittering generalities, Identity fusion)
- [50-50 (The Job of Beating Up the Hun)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/fifty-fifty-service-series-11-1917/) (United States · 1917 · Name-calling, Identity fusion)
- [Food Will Win the War: Member of United States Food Administration (Pledge Card)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/food-will-win-the-war-member-pledge-card-1917-1919/) (United States · 1917 · Identity fusion, Bandwagon)
- [Hit the Bull's Eye! Are You on This List? Get Your Name in the Circle: It's the Ring of Liberty](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/hit-the-bulls-eye-ring-of-liberty-1917/) (United States · 1917 · Bandwagon, Identity fusion)
- [I Am a Soldier of the United States (Service Series No. 12)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/i-am-a-soldier-of-the-united-states-service-series-no-12-1917/) (United States · 1917 · Identity fusion, Glittering generalities)